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Overview
Card sharp and former wild child Hallie Palmer is in college now–and Bernard Stockton, her legal guardian, has suddenly appeared during final exams. He’s hysterical about his recent breakup with his longtime boyfriend, Gil, and wants to enlist Hallie in a scheme to win Gil back. So Hallie returns to Cosgrove County, Ohio, for the summer, to her job as live-in yard person for Bernard and his delightfully oddball mother, Olivia. Also present are Ottavio, Olivia’s hot-tempered Italian lover, who’s desperate for a wedding; Rocky, a chimpanzee who’s one Singapore Sling away from an AA meeting for primates; and Hallie’s own ever-expanding family, which she fled as soon as she could slide down the drainpipe.Around town, folks assume that since Hallie isn’t in jail, she clearly has no problems of her own and can therefore tackle theirs. But Hallie has plenty of troubles–a looming tuition bill, gambling temptations, and an ex-boyfriend who’s back in town for the summer to upset any potential if highly unlikely (a girl can dream!) romantic flings.
Yet as Hallie and company navigate life’s unexpected paths of games lost and love found, the real truth begins to emerge: With friends, family, and a place to call home, your heart’s desire is always within reach.
Synopsis
HEART'S DESIRE is the sequel to BEGINNER'S LUCK (ISBN: 034545303), a B&N Discover New Writers selection for Winter 2003.
Publishers Weekly
In this disappointing sequel to Beginner's Luck, spunky teen Hallie Palmer is finishing up her first year at the Cleveland Art Institute, juggling student loans, finals and the ever present dilemma of when and how to lose her virginity. Amid her troubles, Hallie is called upon by her former quasi-guardian, Bernard Stockton, to help him win back his boyfriend, Gill, so she agrees to stay with him once again and earn money doing garden work for the summer. (Bernard still shares a home with his 60-something, pornography-writing, cause-driven mother, Olivia, and her Italian live-in lover, Ottavio, as well as with Olivia's unpredictable pet chimpanzee, Rocky.) As a sign of changing times, Hallie's harried mom asks for her help with Louise, Hallie's party girl younger sister. Gill contemplates leaving his gay lifestyle to marry a woman and start a family, Bernard decides he wants to adopt a Chinese baby and Hallie can't get sex off the brain. Though Pedersen tries hard to match the zany, madcap atmosphere of Beginner's Luck, the sequel lacks the fresh spirit and charm that made its predecessor so winning. Agent, Judith Ehrlich. (July) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
In this disappointing sequel to Beginner's Luck, spunky teen Hallie Palmer is finishing up her first year at the Cleveland Art Institute, juggling student loans, finals and the ever present dilemma of when and how to lose her virginity. Amid her troubles, Hallie is called upon by her former quasi-guardian, Bernard Stockton, to help him win back his boyfriend, Gill, so she agrees to stay with him once again and earn money doing garden work for the summer. (Bernard still shares a home with his 60-something, pornography-writing, cause-driven mother, Olivia, and her Italian live-in lover, Ottavio, as well as with Olivia's unpredictable pet chimpanzee, Rocky.) As a sign of changing times, Hallie's harried mom asks for her help with Louise, Hallie's party girl younger sister. Gill contemplates leaving his gay lifestyle to marry a woman and start a family, Bernard decides he wants to adopt a Chinese baby and Hallie can't get sex off the brain. Though Pedersen tries hard to match the zany, madcap atmosphere of Beginner's Luck, the sequel lacks the fresh spirit and charm that made its predecessor so winning. Agent, Judith Ehrlich. (July) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.KLIATT
This quietly satisfying read continues the story of Hallie, master poker player, part-time gardener for the most eccentric family in town, and financially struggling college student. The diverse and often wacky characters never fail to surprise. Hallie works for Bernard, an antiques dealer, old movie aficionado and gourmet cook, and his mother Olivia, local political activist and Unitarian; but there is also Bernard's partner Gil, who has just left Bernard for a woman; and Ottavio, Olivia's much younger Italian boyfriend. Amidst this unique family, Hallie is struggling with her own family (her mother is pregnant yet again) and she is afraid she must drop out of school because of lack of money. These challenges are related with honesty and integrity, and while Hallie's life is not always easy, it is filled with humor and ultimately, love. This book is appropriate for older high school students; there is a bit of swearing and some sexual situations, but they are handled well. (Sequel to Beginner's Luck). KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2005, Random House, Ballantine, 397p., Ages 15 to adult.—Sarah Applegate